A user reports that they cannot access any websites through their web browser, but they can access shared files on the local network and can successfully ping 8.8.8.8 from the command prompt. The technician checks the IP configuration and finds the workstation has a valid IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. The DNS server is set to 8.8.8.8. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the issue?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Distractor review
A firewall rule is blocking all outbound traffic on ports 80 and 443
While a firewall could block web traffic, a user who can ping external IPs indicates basic connectivity works. Firewall rules blocking specific ports are possible, but the question states the user can access local network resources, making a general block less likely. Additionally, ping uses ICMP, not TCP ports 80/443, so the test does not rule this out. However, proxy misconfiguration is a more common and specific cause for browser-only failure.
Best answer
The web browser proxy settings are configured incorrectly, preventing internet access
Proxy settings instruct the browser to route traffic through a proxy server. If the proxy is misconfigured, unreachable, or not required, the browser will fail to load websites even though other network applications like ping (which bypasses proxy settings) work. This is a classic symptom of a proxy issue.
Distractor review
The DNS suffix search order is misconfigured
DNS suffix search order affects how short hostnames (e.g., 'server') are resolved. Since the user can ping 8.8.8.8 by IP, DNS resolution is not the issue for external sites. Browsers typically use fully qualified domain names, and incorrect suffix order would not prevent browsing.
Distractor review
The ARP cache is corrupted, preventing the workstation from communicating with the default gateway
A corrupted ARP cache would prevent any communication beyond the local subnet. Since the user can ping 8.8.8.8 (an external IP), ARP resolution for the default gateway is working correctly. Thus, ARP issues are not the cause.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A user reports intermittent network connectivity on a desktop computer. The technician observes that the Ethernet link light on the NIC turns off for a few seconds and then turns back on. The cable passes a wiremap test, the switch port is verified good with another device, and the NIC driver is updated. The issue occurs more frequently when the computer's case fan runs at high speed. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
Question 2
A workstation is unable to connect to the internet. The technician runs the 'ipconfig' command and sees the IPv4 address is 169.254.15.200 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0. The workstation can ping other devices on the local subnet but cannot ping the default gateway or any external addresses. Which TWO actions should the technician take to resolve this issue? (Select two.)
Question 3
A workstation is connected to a managed switch. It obtains a valid IP address (192.168.10.50) from the DHCP server, but it cannot ping the default gateway (192.168.10.1). The link light on both the workstation NIC and the switch port are solid green. Other workstations on the same switch CAN ping the default gateway successfully. The technician accesses the switch management interface and finds that the workstation's port is configured as an access port on VLAN 10. The default gateway is located on VLAN 20. An inter-VLAN router is configured but not explicitly allowing VLAN 10 access to VLAN 20. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the problem?
Question 4
A company develops a web application that relies on a custom library available only for a specific Linux distribution. They want to deploy the application in the cloud with minimal administrative overhead, but they need full control over the software stack, including the ability to install the custom library and configure the web server. Which cloud service model BEST meets these requirements?
Question 5
A company has a legacy virtual machine running on a deprecated hypervisor (Hyper-V). They want to migrate this VM to a new hypervisor (VMware vSphere) hosted in a private cloud while preserving the VM's configuration, installed applications, and data. The migration must be performed with minimal downtime. Which of the following methods is MOST appropriate?
Question 6
A company hosts a critical database on a virtual machine in a public cloud. The database requires persistent storage that must be retained even if the VM is terminated. The storage must also be accessible from multiple VMs simultaneously for a future high-availability configuration. Which type of cloud storage BEST meets these requirements?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1101 question test?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The web browser proxy settings are configured incorrectly, preventing internet access — Since the user can ping an external IP (8.8.8.8), their network connectivity and DNS resolution (if using that same server) would seem functional for direct IP communication. However, the inability to browse websites specifically points to an application-layer issue. A misconfigured web browser proxy setting can prevent HTTP/HTTPS traffic from reaching the internet, even when lower-layer connectivity works. Firewall rules at the workstation or network could also block port 80/443, but the ping test to an external IP does not test those ports. Incorrect DNS suffix is irrelevant for browsing directly to an IP. Corrupted ARP cache typically causes connectivity failures, not an application-specific issue.
What should I do if I get this 220-1101 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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